CVE-2016-8372 in ioLogik
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in Moxa ioLogik E1210, firmware Version V2.4 and prior, ioLogik E1211, firmware Version V2.3 and prior, ioLogik E1212, firmware Version V2.4 and prior, ioLogik E1213, firmware Version V2.5 and prior, ioLogik E1214, firmware Version V2.4 and prior, ioLogik E1240, firmware Version V2.3 and prior, ioLogik E1241, firmware Version V2.4 and prior, ioLogik E1242, firmware Version V2.4 and prior, ioLogik E1260, firmware Version V2.4 and prior, ioLogik E1262, firmware Version V2.4 and prior, ioLogik E2210, firmware versions prior to V3.13, ioLogik E2212, firmware versions prior to V3.14, ioLogik E2214, firmware versions prior to V3.12, ioLogik E2240, firmware versions prior to V3.12, ioLogik E2242, firmware versions prior to V3.12, ioLogik E2260, firmware versions prior to V3.13, and ioLogik E2262, firmware versions prior to V3.12. A password is transmitted in a format that is not sufficiently secure.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/02/2020
The vulnerability described in CVE-2016-8372 represents a significant security weakness in Moxa ioLogik series industrial edge computing devices. This issue affects multiple models across different firmware versions, creating a widespread exposure risk for industrial control systems. The vulnerability specifically relates to the transmission of passwords in insecure formats, which fundamentally undermines the authentication mechanisms designed to protect these critical networked devices. These industrial IoT devices are commonly deployed in manufacturing environments, power grids, and other critical infrastructure sectors where secure remote access is essential for system management and monitoring operations.
The technical flaw stems from the improper handling of authentication credentials during network communication. When administrators configure or manage these devices remotely, passwords are transmitted without adequate encryption or obfuscation mechanisms. This weakness falls under the category of insufficient data protection as defined by CWE-312, where sensitive information is exposed during transmission. The vulnerability creates an attack surface that allows adversaries to intercept authentication credentials using standard network monitoring tools, potentially gaining unauthorized access to industrial control systems. The insecure transmission format typically involves cleartext password transmission or weak encryption methods that can be easily bypassed by network sniffing techniques.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as it fundamentally compromises the security posture of industrial networks. Attackers who successfully intercept these passwords can gain full administrative access to affected devices, potentially leading to system disruption, data manipulation, or unauthorized control of industrial processes. This vulnerability particularly affects the ATT&CK technique T1078.004 which involves valid accounts and credential access, making it a critical concern for industrial environments where these devices often operate in isolated networks but may still be accessible through remote management interfaces. The widespread nature of affected models suggests that organizations operating these devices may be exposed to coordinated attacks targeting their industrial control infrastructure.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including firmware updates to the latest available versions that address the insecure password transmission issue. Network segmentation and access control measures should be strengthened to limit exposure of these devices to unauthorized networks. Additionally, administrators should consider implementing network monitoring to detect potential credential interception attempts and establish secure remote access protocols such as VPN connections with strong authentication mechanisms. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure communication protocols in industrial environments and underscores the need for regular security assessments of industrial IoT devices. Organizations should also review their operational procedures for device management and ensure that all administrative access points are properly secured against credential interception attacks.